The Will of God

After an unusually short introduction (only two verses), Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, quickly gets to the heart of his message. That message is about who we are. He begins by telling us that we were chosen “before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless” and “destined for adoption” as the children of God. There is much to unpack in those first three verses we read for today, and much to debate over them. If we are chosen, are there some who are not chosen? Did God pick and choose who will be adopted? The theology of predestination (or double predestination) comes from these words. I do not believe Paul was thinking of any of these implications when he wrote to the Ephesians. This letter is written to be read by those already in the Christian fold. Paul was writing so that they better understood what God had done for them. That is why he uses the language of adoption. You were not just plucked up randomly from some random pool of people. It is not the same as being conscripted into the service of another for his own pleasure. You were adopted to be part of God’s family. And thus, as part of the family, you now are guaranteed an inheritance.

That should not be news to you. By the waters of baptism we have been made new in Christ, adopted as children of God and sealed by the promise of the Holy Spirit. You are now sisters and brothers of Jesus. But then, this is not some five day-a-week, nine-to-five job. It is your whole life. Every waking and sleeping moment you are a child of God. Every encounter that you have in your daily life is a possibility to show how you have been changed by God’s adoption and gift of love. Instead of the worry and stress of the world around you God has surrounded you with the peace that passes all understanding. 

In this new year when others are making resolutions to better themselves, remember who you are and whose you are, and choose to make the world better by sharing God’s gifts. That is what the rest of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is about. Once adopted as a child of God, you are called to live as God’s children making Jesus your model. He who did not count equality with God something to be had, but emptied himself and humbled himself even to death on the cross, has made you a chosen one of God. Humble yourself before God so that when the opportunity happens you are able to proclaim Jesus’ salvation and share God’s love with others. That should be your resolution for the whole world. To live your life as a child of God, loving the world just as Jesus loves you.